Drake English 207

Course Overview

This course centers around three basic approaches to argument: the Aristotelian Lines of Argument, Formal Argument Analysis, and Application of Empiricism.  The course is designed so that each subsequent element builds on the previous approach, and the final three or four weeks is generally devoted to the class applying all the previously covered approaches.

1) Understand and Apply Classic Rhetoric/Lines of Argument (Logos, Pathos, Ethos, Values)

            -- Why and how are people moved to believe an argument?

            -- What are the elements of a persuasive argument or act?

            -- Analysis can teach us how to both use and abuse and disarm

            -- To persuade, one must carefully utilize the Lines; to understand whether an argument is persuasive but not accurate, one must be aware of the lines and separate them from the actual argument (reasons)

2) Understand and Apply Formal Argument Analysis; Toulmin Method: Method of breaking down all arguments into integral parts; used in law-school to both analyze an argument, analyze the opposing argument, and to outline/organize one's own argumentative strategy; useful for:

            -- Identifying weaknesses in an argument

            -- Separating out the rhetoric from the facts and actual reasons

            -- Designing valid arguments

            -- Outlining, Planning and Designing complete arguments (essays, speeches etc.)

3) Understanding and Applying Empiricism/Scientific Reasoning:

-- What are the elements of a valid argument? How do we know whether an argument is true or simply persuasive?

-- Why do different groups believe different arguments are true; why isn't there a universal Truth that everyone believes?

-- Why do universities teach what they do, the way they do?

-- My job in relationship to empiricism is three part:

            One: Identification and Theory: to teach you what valid empirical arguments are.

            Two: Application: to teach you how to dismantle invalid arguments and create valid ones.

            Three: To argue for the value of this method: why you should use it.

4) Apply All of the Above to the Topic of the Class's Choice